ThinkFast: October 17, 2007
ThinkFast: October 17, 2007
Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) said he was not prepared to grant retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies for their participation in the warrantless wiretapping program. “I certainly would not give them immunity retroactively on programs that we don’t know what they are,” he said.
The White House agreed yesterday to give Senate intelligence committee members and staff access to internal documents related to its domestic surveillance program. But Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said that when one of her staff members reviewed the documents, “he wasn’t impressed.”
In another rebuke of the Bush administration’s stem cell policy, National Institutes of Health Director Elias Zerhouni said, “All avenues of research need to be pursued.” White House spokesman Tony Fratto responded that President Bush has a “broader view” than scientists, which takes into account “moral and religious views.”
Brookings analyst Michael O’Hanlon commended Democratic presidential candidates for refusing to commit to withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq by 2013. “The only thing that would have concerned me would have been a repeat of 2003, where the populist’s message of ‘get out now’ would overtake the Democratic Party,” he said.
24 percent: President Bush’s approval rating in a new Reuters/Zogby poll, which sets yet another record low for the President.
Prior to his confirmation hearing today, Attorney General nominee Mike Mukasey will be introduced “before the cameras” by a “tripartisan” group of senators: Sens. Arlen Specter (R-PA), Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Joe Lieberman (I-CT).
In a special election yesterday, Niki Tsongas (D), the wife of the late Sen. Paul Tsongas (D), beat out Republican Jim Ogonowski to fill former Rep. Martin Meehan’s (D-MA) vacant 5th district House seat, “becoming the first woman to represent Massachusetts in Congress in nearly 25 years.”
And finally: Colbert throws his hat in the ring. On the Daily Show last night, comedian Stephen Colbert “made a surprise appearance” to officially announce he was considering a run for president. About 20 minutes later on his own show, Colbert announced “Yes, I’m doing it!” He then welcomed CBS political analyst Jeff Greenfield to analyze his impact on the race “in the past three minutes.”
What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section.
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Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) said he was not prepared to grant retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies for their participation in the warrantless wiretapping program. “I certainly would not give them immunity retroactively on programs that we don’t know what they are,†he said.
There he goes again. Specter is talking tough, but in the end, he will follow Bush's lead. It's what he does, it's who he is.
The only condition under which the Senate should grant immunity to the telcoms is if they agree to tell Congress everything they have done under Bush's orders including who, what, when and where. The reason for granting immunity in law enforcement is to get the cooperation of the person you are granting immunity to. Bush wants blanket immunity for the wrongdoings of the telcoms without anything in return. The Senate will be stupid to do that and it will, once again, make them look like a bunch of weaklings. Thank goodness the House has grown a set of balls on this subject.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:12 amWhite House spokesman Tony Fratto responded that President Bush has a “broader view†than scientists, which takes into account “moral and religious views.â€
They are his moral and religious views. I thought we were supposed to keep our religious views out of governance. Bush totally does not get it that he is working for us. He really does think that he is the supreme being.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:15 amI really want to see Colbert up on stage in a debate with the Republicans. That would be fantastic TV.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:17 amhow quickly will specter reverse his position?
October 17th, 2007 at 9:24 ami am guessing by 1pm today.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:24 amWhite House spokesman Tony Fratto responded that President Bush has a “broader view†than scientists, which takes into account “moral and religious views.â€
This being the disingenuous reason the Bush administration puts forth for his refusal to federally fund this crucial YET not ban stem cell research outright. I believe that the underlying motive here is that it will allow private biomed/pharma companies to have exclusive research rights and subsequent control of any breakthroughs they develop. It is too convenient to point to moral and religious reasons to reject the importance of stem cell research while holding no such moral objections to torture and war.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:24 amProbably already been discussed in a previous thread, but are these the "phony" soldiers Rush is talking about:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/15/AR2007101500841.html?referrer=emailarticle
October 17th, 2007 at 9:25 amHow can Congress possibly allow the telecom immunity to pass when there is already ample evidence that they have been misled on the scope of the ILLEGAL surveillance program. Doesn't the revelation that QWEST was approached PRIOR to 9/11 fly in the face of the justifications that Bushco has used to defend their position here?
October 17th, 2007 at 9:26 amA very important paragraph from my link:
Against this backdrop, the U.S. military has been trying in vain to hold the country together. Even with "the surge," we simply do not have enough soldiers and marines to meet the professed goals of clearing areas from insurgent control, holding them securely and building sustainable institutions. Though temporary reinforcing operations in places like Fallujah, An Najaf, Tal Afar, and now Baghdad may brief well on PowerPoint presentations, in practice they just push insurgents to another spot on the map and often strengthen the insurgents' cause by harassing locals to a point of swayed allegiances. Millions of Iraqis correctly recognize these actions for what they are and vote with their feet -- moving within Iraq or leaving the country entirely. Still, our colonels and generals keep holding on to flawed concepts.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:27 amPresident Bush has a “broader view†than scientists
that is some funny goddamn sh*t.
i didnt know a turd had any view other than which peanut is the smartest.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:30 amMichael O'Hanlon is a petty little coward who can't admit that he is wrong about Iraq.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:31 am24 percent: President Bush’s approval rating in a new Reuters/Zogby poll, which sets yet another record low for the President.
How low can he go?
Another 4% left the flock. 24% left at 'Flock U'. It's amazing that these sheep feel safe in the shadow of the Wolf.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:40 amI would vote for a Colbert/Huckabee ticket.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:42 amTweedster
How can Congress possibly allow the telecom immunity to pass when there is already ample evidence that they have been misled on the scope of the ILLEGAL surveillance program.
Plus, if you use Verizon, you have something like a month to 'opt out' of a voluntary program that gives the full permission to share all of your call data to basically anyone they want to, otherwise, by not opting out, you've agreed to it.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:43 amTrusting Arlen Specter to be true to his words is like trusting George W. Bush to do what's best for middle-class and impoverished Americans.
It's all bull***t meant to deceive and ignore the "working" people of America who bust their asses and struggle to pay their bills. Any working man or woman who supports George W. Bush and or political enablers like Arlen Specter are stupid and self-destructive. They are fooled by the bull***t because they want to believe it, but when it comes down to action, they are repeatedly left holding the sh***y end of the stick. They are the segment of our society that can be fooled "all" of the time.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:43 amIt’s amazing that these sheep feel safe in the shadow of the Wolf.
Comment by Zimzone — October 17, 2007 @ 9:40 am
That just brought a cartoon to my brain - Bush dressed as a Biblical shepherd, addressing a group of "sheeple" (sheep bodies, people heads) and saying something like "My sheeple love me and follow me. 911. My sheeple know that I will keep them safe. 911. My sheeple know I will lay down their lives for them. 911."
October 17th, 2007 at 9:49 am“I certainly would not give them immunity retroactively on programs that we don’t know what they are,†he said.
the quote continued...
"Unless of course Bush says to..."
October 17th, 2007 at 9:50 amI suspect that Randi Rhodes was attacked by minorities and was paid hush money to say that she "fell down".
October 17th, 2007 at 9:50 amRepublicans never take a "Broad View". The best they can manage is a "wide stance", and that only when they're in the toilet.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:51 amCue trolls trying to distract by crowing about the low approval of the "democrat congress" in 3, 2, 1...
October 17th, 2007 at 9:52 amSure Bush is at 24%, but Congress is at what? 8%?
October 17th, 2007 at 9:55 amThey are the segment of our society that can be fooled “all†of the time.
Comment by osage
They are the percentage of our population who needs an authority figure in their lives to tell them what to think and what to do. Read John Dean's Conservatives Without Conscience. These people either look to God or their Political leaders to tell them how to live their lives. They are pathetic.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:55 amFrom the article
Bush's job approval rating fell to 24 percent from last month's record low for a Zogby poll of 29 percent. A paltry 11 percent gave Congress a positive grade, tying last month's record low.
Now before the trolls get all lathered up about Congress, the reason the congressional approval is so low, is their inability to stop the disastrous train wreck that is the Bush Administration.
So don't bother trotting out the but, but Congress...
Go with but, but Clinton had much a better approval nadir!
October 17th, 2007 at 9:55 amI'm so sick of these hypocritical 'pro-life' asswholes claiming moral high ground. Anti-science is a better moniker for these fools. They don't support anything that improves life for those already born.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:57 amOn the Daily Show last night, comedian Stephen Colbert “made a surprise appearance†to officially announce he was considering a run for president.
Well I guess I know who I'm voting for. As long as I have to vote for a joke candidate, it might as well be the one who knows they're a joke.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:58 am15, Osage,
I couldn't agree with you more. 'Ol Sphincter loves to put up an appearance of righteousness and passion. One phone call from Cheney will turn that around quickly. He & Leahy are two of a kind; make a lot of noise, proclaim you'll solve this properly and when all is said & done, write a letter. Wow!
Slightly OT, did anyone watch PBS's show on Cheney last night? I thought its was well worth an hour of my time. I see Lynne is already lambasting it as 'one-sided', even though Addington & Cheney refused to interviewed. Meanwhile, Fox Noise has Cheney's full participation on their show.
One-sided, indeed.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:59 amSure Bush is at 24%, but Congress is at what? 8%?
Comment by Squegeeboo
Sorry Loon Squeege - that canard has been proven false on numerous occasions. But just to set you straight, her you go:
The new Washington Post-ABC News poll also shows deep dissatisfaction with the president and with Congress. Bush's approval rating stands at 33 percent, equal to his career low in Post-ABC polls. And just 29 percent approve of the job Congress is doing, its lowest approval rating in this poll since November 1995, when Republicans controlled both the House and Senate. It also represents a 14-point drop since Democrats took control in January.
Despite discontent with Congress this year, the public rates congressional Republicans (29 percent approve) lower than congressional Democrats (38 percent approve). When the parties are pitted directly against each other, the public broadly favors Democrats on Iraq, health care, the federal budget and the economy. Only on the issue of terrorism are Republicans at parity with Democrats.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/01/AR2007100101235.html?hpid=topnews
October 17th, 2007 at 9:59 am'What did we miss? Let us know in the comments section'
Air America released a statement saying that “the reports of a presumed hate crime are unfounded.†Elliott followed that up with a retraction.
“I shouldn’t have speculated based on hearsay that Randi Rhodes had been mugged and that it may have been an attack from a right wing hate machine. I apologize for jumping to conclusions based on an emotional reaction,†he said in a written statement.
Associated Press
October 17th, 2007 at 9:59 amThe Harris Poll. Oct. 5-8, 2007. N=1,003 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.
"How would you rate the job Republicans in Congress are doing: excellent, pretty good, only fair, or poor?"
Excellent/Pretty Good 19
Only Fair/Poor 76
The Harris Poll. Oct. 5-8, 2007. N=1,003 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.
"How would you rate the job Democrats in Congress are doing: excellent, pretty good, only fair, or poor?"
Excellent/Pretty Good 29
Only Fair/Poor 67
October 17th, 2007 at 10:00 ambilbobaggins
Sorry Loon Squeege - that canard has been proven false on numerous occasions.
How do you prove a bird false? I just tossed that one out there because the post above it was too tempting to ignore.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:00 amSo don’t bother trotting out the but, but Congress…
Go with but, but Clinton had much a better approval nadir!
Comment by RUCerious
Too late, Loon Squeege beat you to it. But I set her straight.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:01 amHow do you prove a bird false? I just tossed that one out there because the post above it was too tempting to ignore.
Comment by Squegeeboo
Your comments seem to indicate you were home schooled.
ca·nard /kəˈnɑrd; Fr. kaˈnar/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kuh-nahrd; Fr. ka-nar] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
1. a false or baseless, usually derogatory story, report, or rumor.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:03 am27, ExLax,
Did you agree with McConnell's staff smearing a 12 year old?
How about 'Malkin Bugeyes' smearing a 2 year old?
At least this guy admitted he spoke too soon. What do you think the chances are of either of the above retracting their comments?
Any other questions?
October 17th, 2007 at 10:03 amThe lower shrub's approval rating drops, the more public appearances/ speeches he makes.
Coincidence? I think not.
And when more public appearances don't seem to be swaying public opinion, then the WH spin machine tries throwing other republicans out there to see if they can 'help'...vis a vis General Patreus, Lynne Cheney, et al.
What they're not understanding is that the huge majority of American citizens are tired of what the republicans in the WH AND Congress have done to, (er FOR) us for the last eight years.
Throw the bums out, however, IMHO, also also applies to those dems who have capitulated to this WH over the last eight years...
October 17th, 2007 at 10:05 am.
.
.
.
.
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White House spokesman Tony Fratto responded that President Bush has a “broader view†than scientists, which takes into account “moral and religious views.â€
---------------------
It's sad. Under Clinton we could have gotten a nice BJ joke out of this.
I hope under the next administration the worst we have on the CIC is that he digs chubby interns.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:05 am27, ExLax,
Did you agree with McConnell’s staff smearing a 12 year old?
ExLax seems to have gotten himself banned. Post 27 is one of mine now.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:06 amThank you, Exley, for helping us point out how quickly and completely progressives will take responsibility for their mistakes or errors in judgment, especially in light of the fact that their neoconservative counterparts are more apt to attack the messanger or the victim. You keep posting, we'll keeping boasting.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:06 amOops, unfortunately ExLax has not been banned. Oh well, one can only wish. Regarding the post, I smell something rotten here. I can't understand why anyone would have told this host that Randi Rhodes had been mugged if it wasn't true. And why the long delay in "setting the record straight"? Oh well, we may never know the truth.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:09 amComment by bilbobaggins
Burn, Squeege! In your face!
October 17th, 2007 at 10:09 amNow you're being insulted as a homeschoolee! Because homeschooled kids are dumb!
I thought you were just making a joke... but I'll jump on the bandwagon.
You little girl!
bilbobaggins
Your comments seem to indicate you were home schooled.
And yours seem to indicate you don't get my brand of humor.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:10 amThank you, Exley, for helping us point out how quickly and completely progressives will take responsibility for their mistakes or errors in judgment, especially in light of the fact that their neoconservative counterparts are more apt to attack the messanger or the victim. You keep posting, we’ll keeping boasting.
Comment by PatrioticLiberalChristian — October 17, 2007 @ 10:06 am
Accountability is not a word in the republican or conservative vocabulary.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:10 ambilbobaggins
Sorry Loon Squeege - that canard has been proven false on numerous occasions.
How do you prove a bird false? I just tossed that one out there because the post above it was too tempting to ignore.
Comment by Squegeeboo — October 17, 2007 @ 10:00 am
You are just too funny, too insightful, and too ready to admit your mistakes to be anything but a progressive, despite your attempts to fight it. Come on, squegeeboo, just let go.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:10 amPatrioticLiberalChristian
You are just too funny, too insightful, and too ready to admit your mistakes to be anything but a progressive, despite your attempts to fight it. Come on, squegeeboo, just let go.
Thanks, once I finally pull a Grinch and have my heart grow 3 sizes, then I'll finally have to face facts and jump over the aisle.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:13 amAccountability is not a word in the republican or conservative vocabulary.
Comment by gummitch — October 17, 2007 @ 10:10 am
In the money-grabbing sense it is, in the sociopolitical sense you are correct.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:13 amgummitch
Accountability is not a word in the republican or conservative vocabulary.
Nonsense, of course it's a word we know. You have to know it to know how to dodge it.
Know your enemy and the such.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:19 amsteven colbert is a national treasure...
it felt so good to smile for a whole hour last night!
October 17th, 2007 at 10:26 am!
Stephen Cobert for President!!
Woot!
Unfortunately, now it seems a comedian is the best candidate running, Republican or Democrat. =P
October 17th, 2007 at 10:29 amfrom http://www22.verizon.com/privacy/
Does Verizon sell or give my information to non-Verizon companies?
No. We do not sell or disclose individually identifiable information obtained online about our visitors to anyone outside of Verizon. The only exceptions to this rule are the following:
• If you specifically authorize Verizon to share your information with another company
• It is required by law and when we believe that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights and/or
to comply with a judicial proceeding, court order, or legal process served on our Web site
• Disclosure is necessary to protect the safety of customers, employees, or property
• Publishing your name, address, and phone number in our directories if you initiate your telephone
service with us online (unless you have requested a non-published or non-listed number)
• Sharing data with our authorized vendors, contractors and agents, only to the extent necessary for
them to perform their work, in order that Verizon can carry out certain functions in marketing and
delivering services to you.
IMHO, "safety" can be pretty broadly defined....
So basically, they reserve the right to give your personal information to any person or entity they want to, if THEY think they have a good excuse, er REASON.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:29 amDear TP,
It would be fun to see a list of all the times Specter came out with his bold defiance posture but then capitulated... Anytime Specter comes out against anything pro-Bush then the background info should be there to remind everybody of what a shill he's been since the days of Watergate.
Kennyp
October 17th, 2007 at 10:30 amComment by katy
I'm getting old so I don't stay up that late, but I watched the repeat from Monday night with Kucinich and the guy was really funny!
October 17th, 2007 at 10:30 amI don't know why, but the Pocket Rosetta Stone bit had me rolling.
steven colbert is a national treasure…
it felt so good to smile for a whole hour last night!
!
Comment by katy — October 17, 2007 @ 10:26 am
Yeah, that was a good show. Hilarious.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:32 amWilco
I’m getting old so I don’t stay up that late
If it makes you feel any better I'm in my 20s and its to late for me.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:34 amKaty,
You get Colbert for an hour?
Must be because I live so far North or something, but I only get it a 1/2 hr
October 17th, 2007 at 10:35 amMust be because I live so far North or something, but I only get it a 1/2 hr
Comment by Zimzone — October 17, 2007 @ 10:35 am
The Daily Show + The Colbert Show = an hour
October 17th, 2007 at 10:38 amEach is 30 minutes =)
Katy,
You get Colbert for an hour?
Must be because I live so far North or something, but I only get it a 1/2 hr
Comment by Zimzone — October 17, 2007 @ 10:35 am
I think Katy was referring to the fact that she got to see Colbert on both TDS and his own show.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:38 amZimzone
Must be because I live so far North or something, but I only get it a 1/2 hr
Maybe his air time grows and wanes just like seasonal daylight. On the plus side, he'll prob. be on for like 2 hours in June.
October 17th, 2007 at 10:45 amSqueege, I'm 31 but I have a dog, so I have to get up earlier now to walk him in order to get to work on time. He's smart but not smart enough to walk himself around the block and then come let himself back in so I can sleep a little later. We're going to work on that, though. So far, he's learned to open the doors in my apartment and he's cut the screen windows and jumped out a couple times before too. So we're almost there!
October 17th, 2007 at 10:51 amWilco
October 17th, 2007 at 10:55 amSo far, he’s learned to open the doors in my apartment and he’s cut the screen windows and jumped out a couple times before too. So we’re almost there!
But can he go to the fridge and get you a beer?
yes, that hour included both jon stewart and stephen colbert...
they ARE a team, after all... can't have one without the other, i say...
and so i should include jon in with the national treasure...
but colbert's schtick is so amazing and insightful and rich...
October 17th, 2007 at 10:58 amthat character must be draining to pull off each night...
colbert is simply amazing...
.
wilco - you're 31 and complaining about "old" ???!!!!!!
October 17th, 2007 at 11:05 amHA! ... you should be rethinking that attitude, and soon!
you have a long way to go!
i just got a call, some guy "representing the DNC"...
he thanked me for my "generous support" and announced that
the call may be recorded... i said "great - pass this message along:
i want to see some spine and some balls... i want to see the dems
act like the majority they are, instead of capitulating to these
criminals... i want to see some spine and balls, and until i do,
you get no money from me."
he said, "that's how we got a republican president last time"
and hung up.
NO, WE GOT A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT BECAUSE OF STOOPID FOOLS
AND CROOKED ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES AND CRIMINALS.
grrrrrr...
October 17th, 2007 at 11:11 amGood for you Katy! I did the same thing with all the stuff I get in the mail from them. Haven't recieved a call, but then I told them I would contact them when they got their act together, and not before.
October 17th, 2007 at 11:15 amso, suck-up o'hanlon is angling for room in the Clinton team and, despite being a pro-war wanker who's lied and propagandized about the success of the "surge", we're supposed to all lock arms with him and say: WAY TO GO?
i think not.
October 17th, 2007 at 11:57 amArlen Specter plays the camera again..He always talks big and tough in front of journalists..and when the vote comes..he is a chicken.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:02 pmKaty, I agree 100% with you that Stephen Colbert is an amazing talent, a joy to watch -- and to portray his character as well as he does must be so draining, it is testimony to his talent.
BTW --
Did anyone see the chimp at his presser today? I have the day off and was able to enjoy the show in real time.
OMIGOD! My embarrassment of him as president is growing at a rate comparable to his own rate of exhibited idiocy.
He blames the Democrats for EVERYTHING; takes responibility for nothing. When asked about "working with Congress" his answer was the equivalent of something like: I do work with Congress - I want them to do it my way, or I veto. If they don't want a veto, then they have to agree with me.
His last 400 days are going to be increasingly dangerous for us and for the world.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:37 pmLoneguman,
O'Hanlon is already one of Hillary Clinton's foreign policy advisers.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/opinions/documents/the-war-over-the-wonks.html
October 17th, 2007 at 12:39 pmKaty, I just saw your note about the DNC caller: funny, when I received my solicitation last week, I gave them a similar answer.
October 17th, 2007 at 12:39 pmI will gladly donate money to the DNC and the DCCC when I see them stand up to Bush and represent those of us who helped them get into office.
but, HE HUNG UP ON ME !!!
that snotty remark and then he hung up on ME...
who is the DNC? ... is that howard? ... i should call him...
i was nice enough... maybe the word "balls" offended him...
punk.
October 17th, 2007 at 3:40 pm